Netherlands

Court acquits 12 men of terrorism charges

A Dutch court acquitted 12 Middle Eastern men of terrorism charges Thursday, ruling that prosecutors relied on uncorroborated intelligence to accuse them of recruiting Muslims for suicide attacks.

All the defendants were ordered released, though two were convicted on relatively minor counts of possessing false passports and forgery. The verdict was issued by a three-judge panel after a two-week trial last month.

Indonesia

Troops kill tourist

Indonesian troops shot and killed a German tourist and wounded his wife in Aceh province, where the government is battling separatists.

The 54-year-old man and his wife, 49, were shot Wednesday night while in Lhok Gayo as troops investigated “suspicious flashlights” near a house, said Lt. Col. Firdaus Komarno.

The soldiers called out to the couple to identify themselves, but the pair did not respond and turned off their flashlights. The troops then fired several warning shots, Komarno said.

Belgium

Iraqi arrested in case of toxic letters

Belgian authorities arrested an Iraqi man Thursday after 10 letters laced with toxic powders were sent to the Belgian prime minister, the American, Saudi and British embassies.

The 45-year-old Iraqi was charged with premeditated assault and battery. Five police officials were treated for skin and eye irritation and breathing problems after examining bags of documents seized at the man’s home in Deinze, said Judge Lieve Pellens.